We are Sky and Xandra. We live in Texas which is an at-will state.

In mid-May, Xandra was laid off from her job in IT Project Management. The reason given was restructuring, but the more likely reason is that the new CIO does not believe in project management. She has been working for two months to apply for every Project Management job available. She has had a few interviews but no job offers so far. She does teach painting classes on the side; however, with inflation and tariffs causing prices to skyrocket, those painting classes barely fill up, if at all.

As of July 17th, almost exactly two months after Xandra was laid off, Sky was laid off from their job. They are a barista at a sobriety-themed coffee shop. The owners of the coffee shop have over-extended themselves and have not accounted for the rise in prices. The owners have laid off all baristas except for the two owners. The job helped them keep their sobriety and give back to the community. They are devastated to no longer have that opportunity.

Sky's job supplemented the unemployment benefits that Xandra was receiving; however, the benefits barely covered the health insurance that Sky and Xandra needed to maintain their well-being. With rent as high as it is, this means that rent and health insurance and food for Sky, Xandra and their two dogs, Lulah and Rosco, is not feasible.

We would greatly appreciate any help you can provide until we find more stable employment. Thank you so much. Once we're through this, maybe we can send you a token of our appreciation.